Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Feb.1, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, prisoner swap deal

Day 14 of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as the first phase of the Hamas-Israel deal continues. The phase, which includes a prisoner exchange, started on Jan. 19 and is set to last for 42 days.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office on Friday, Israel is set to release 90 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, announced the names of three Israeli captives set for release on Saturday.

In a Friday statement, Abu Ubeida, the group's spokesperson, said: “As part of the Al-Aqsa Flood prisoner exchange deal, Al-Qassam Brigades have decided to release the following Israeli captives on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025: Ofer Calderon, Keith Samuel Siegel, and Yarden Bibas.”

Opening of Rafah crossing for injured people as part of ceasefire deal

In accordance with the terms of the ceasefire, the Rafah border crossing with Egypt is slated to open on Saturday for the travel of injured Palestinians to have their medical treatment abroad.

The Health Ministry in Gaza on Friday announced that the Rafah crossing will be opened for the travel of the first batch of injured Palestinians.

It added that their travel is coordinated with the World Health Organization.

The EU on Friday resumed its Rafah Border crossing mission connecting the southern Gaza Strip to Egypt, including for Palestinians needing medical care.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza

The humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip during ceasefire.

Palestinian medics continue efforts to recover the bodies of Palestinians from under the rubble in Gaza, following the ceasefire.

Palestinians who return to the northern Gaza Strip face dire humanitarian situation as most of vital services are disrupted by the Israeli devastating attacks.

Israeli violations of Lebanon ceasefire

Israeli army violations of a ceasefire deal after Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend a deadline for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon until Feb. 18.

An Israeli airstrike on Bekaa, eastern Lebanon, killed two people and injured 10 others, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported on Friday.

Egypt's foreign minister, who visited Beirut on Friday, called for Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanon and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

West Bank raids

Almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank and illegal settler violence against Palestinians and their property.

The Israeli army has been continuing its military operation in the northern West Bank since Jan. 21, killing over 30 Palestinians, and demolishing more homes and infrastructure in Jenin and Tulkarem.

The Israeli army continued demolishing homes and detaining Palestinians on Friday, the 11th day of its military incursion in the northern West Bank.

On Friday, the Israeli army besieged two homes and ordered the residents by loudspeaker to evacuate their homes and surrender themselves in the towns of Iktaba and Shuweika, east of the city of Tulkarem.

Israel has killed at least 892 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023 and injured over 6,700 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.

Developments in Syria under new administration

Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new post-Bashar Assad administration.

Syria’s newly appointed interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa has received official congratulations from several Arab nations following his assumption of office during Syria’s transitional phase.

Official statements from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and Yemen expressed support for Sharaa’s leadership and the restructuring efforts underway in Syria.

Deteriorating situation in war-torn Sudan

The dire security situation which continues in the North African nation amid intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The commander of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, on Friday acknowledged setbacks as the country’s army made advances in the capital Khartoum.

In a recorded video, Hemedti urged his fighters to focus on future gains and ignore the areas recently retaken by the army.

India's Modi government to propose new budget

Indian government led by ruling Bharatiya Janta Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present a record 8th consecutive budget. The new spending proposal is expected to contain measures to shore up weakening economic growth and ease the burden on the middle class struggling with high prices and stagnant wage growth while being fiscally prudent. Last year, after winning election, Modi's party had adopted a budget of $576 billion.

Trial of incarcerated South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

Trial of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol progresses amid his incarceration. He was indicted over Dec. 3 martial law decree but Yoon has defended his decision which triggered ongoing political crisis. He is facing a case of insurrection and abuse of power over short-lived martial law of Dec. 3. Yoon Suk Yeol's legal team has requested the recusal of three justices of Constitutional Court from impeachment case.

Myanmar marks 4th year of Feb. 1 coup

Myanmar marks fourth anniversary of coup launched on Feb. 1, 2021 which saw overthrow of National League for Democracy government. Since then, at least 6,106 civilians have been killed by security forces, and hundreds others were arrested.

Developments in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Monitoring the latest situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Goma city which M23 rebels claim to control. Kinshasa has rejected any talks with rebels and has vowed to reclaim the city bordering Rwanda, which has been accused of supporting M23 group.

SPORTS

English Premier League Week 24: (Football)

Nottingham Forest vs. Brighton and Hove Albion

Bournemouth vs. Liverpool

Spanish La Liga week 22: (Football)

Espanyol vs. Real Madrid

French Ligue 1 matchday 20 (Football)

Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain